wreck

Log This Dive

MAN AND RAY

Man and Ray is our pick for a satisfying wreck dive in the UAE, especially if you’re into a bit of history. It’s a tugboat that went down in 1971, swamped by a big wave off Das Island. We find that story gives it a particular character, a sense of a working boat caught by the sea. Dropping to 23 metres, the wreck isn’t massive, but it’s still substantial enough to explore with a decent bottom time. You can trace the lines of the tug, imagine the crew going about their day. Over the decades, it’s become a home for all sorts of reef fish. We often spot schools of snapper hanging around the superstructure, and fusiliers darting through the openings. Look closely in the nooks and crannies; we’ve seen moray eels peeking out and sometimes a scorpionfish camouflaged against the hull. The visibility can be variable here, but on a good day, the sunlight filters down, highlighting the encrusting corals that have started to grow. It’s a great dive for anyone comfortable with wreck penetration, or even just circling the exterior, soaking in the atmosphere of a vessel reclaimed by the sea.